According to new research prozac, the popular antidepressant, might also be effective in the treatment of “lazy eye”or amblyopia, especially in adults. Prozac can rejuvenate nerve cells linked to vision in the brains of adults.

Amblyopia or lazy eye is reduced vision in one eye as a result of sustained period of visual neglect in childhood. One eye appears to be weaker than other eye as it was not used enough in early childhood. New research has found that fluoxetene, the antidepressant marketed as prozac, has been found effective in correcting eyesight’s of rats whose vision was impaired in early development and it could well do the same for humans.

In early childhood, the neuronal connections are very plastic, but as the critical period closes this flexibility is greatly reduced. Prozac reopens the critical period of plasticity in the visual cortex, and lateral geniculate body parts of the brain. Prozac helps in returning neurons in the adult brain to a more “plastic” state normally seen in youth. This helps the visual perception system to develop its proper connections between the eye and the brain. This can promote improved visual functions in older individuals. The only concern that the researchers revealed are the side effects of long term use of prozac. Furthermore maximum vision improvement was achieved when vision therapy was also administered along with prozac. The side effects of prozac include severe anxiety, glaucoma and visual filed defects. Further long term research needs to be done to determine the risks/benefits of such a treatment.

Depression commonly afflicts people in our fast paced, busy, and sometimes isolating society. Lingering feelings of sadness, hopelessness, a general feeling of dread, loss of energy and interest in activities that were previously enjoyed, and changes in patterns of sleep and appetite can signal that depression is beginning to settle in. In severe cases, a medical intervention can truly be necessary and of benefit – but for many people with milder cases, some natural approaches work well to manage depression symptoms. One natural treatment for depression is supplementation. Here are 4 natural supplements you can take that can help lessen symptoms of depression:

•  Food based multivitamin and calcium if the foods you eat aren’t already calcium rich. A multivitamin is a foundation for many healthcare supplement regimens. Making sure your physical body has all the building blocks it needs to be at optimum health will support your emotional health as well.
•  Fish oil. Fish oil has been shown to have a variety of health benefits. The cardiovascular system is helped, it has anti-inflammatory properties, and it the fatty acids are associated with better brain health.
•  5 HTP (hydroytryptophan). This supplement is derived from tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is a naturally occurring brain neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood control. This supplement is typically delivered in capsule form.
•  L-Theanine. This supplement is a natural anxiety relieving amino acid that can be taken regularly to reduce these symptoms. It is often taken in conjunction with 5 HTP. It can be found in capsule as well as a sublingual spray form.